Breaking Barriers: Empowering women in fitness through inclusive training

Manchester, May 2025 - Despite growing awareness of the physical and mental benefits of sports and fitness, participation among Muslim women remains significantly low, especially at competitive levels. While 80% engage in casual activity, only 9% go on to compete^[1], with the main barriers to participation including religious and cultural considerations, lack of women-only spaces, limited access to modest sportswear and concerns over discrimination.

Sector-leading awarding organisation Active IQ recognises the need for change and supporting initiatives that provide safe, inclusive and culturally sensitive training opportunities for women who may not feel comfortable getting involved in the fitness industry. One training facility leading the change is the Health Fitness Academy, founded by Sakina Khan, which is redefining access to fitness education by creating a women-only training environment.

Creating a safe space for women in fitness

Sakina Khan founded Health Fitness Academy to offer women-only training for fitness qualifications. Many of her students come from Muslim and Jewish communities, where traditional mixed-gender sports environments can feel inaccessible.

“During my own journey becoming a fitness professional, I was often the only woman in the room,” says Sakina. “It was clear there were significant gaps in the industry for women, especially those from faith backgrounds, who want to gain qualifications in a comfortable, supportive space.”

Health Fitness Academy is breaking down these barriers by teaching Active IQ-accredited fitness qualifications in a female-led environment. The first cohort will be launched this Spring and includes women eager to pursue careers in fitness who previously lacked access to the right setting for training.

For many Muslim women, the biggest challenge is a lack of opportunity, with reports showing that 43% of Muslim women do not feel current sports facilities cater to their needs, while 33% say negative past experiences have discouraged them from participating in sport. Without inclusive training options, the pipeline for female fitness professionals from these backgrounds remains small.

A member of Sakina’s first cohort who has asked to remain anonymous had this to say about her experience: "Six years ago, I embarked on a journey that has transformed my life in ways I never imagined. At my lowest point, after becoming single, I found solace and strength in exercise. Through dedication and hard work, I managed to lose weight, going from 20 stones to 10.8 stones. This journey has not only rebuilt my confidence but has also ignited a passion within me to give back to the community.

Training to become a group training instructor through Health Fitness Academy has been a challenging yet incredibly rewarding experience. The extensive learning in anatomy, physiology, and effective session delivery has been tough, but it has equipped me with the knowledge and skills needed to excel.

As a Muslim woman, having the opportunity to train and learn in a female-only environment has been vital in my growth. It has provided a safe and supportive space where I could focus on my development without any reservations.

Now, as I near the end of my training, I feel more confident than ever. The support and education provided by Health Fitness Academy have been instrumental in this transformation. I am thrilled to have been guaranteed an interview with Greenwich Leisure Limited, and I am excited about the opportunity to inspire and motivate others on their fitness journeys.

A special thank you to Sakina, the trainer, mentor, and founder of Health Fitness Academy. Your guidance and support have been invaluable. Thank you, Health Fitness Academy, for helping me turn my life around and for giving me the tools to make a positive impact on others."

Bridging the skills gap to improve representation

Creating inclusive spaces for women is only part of the solution. According to Active IQ’s Skills Gap Report, 32% of fitness professionals believe they do not have the required skills and education to train customers across various areas of diversity. This highlights the urgent need to upskill the sector so more communities can access fitness safely, confidently and on their own terms.

“Improving representation in the fitness industry starts with education,” adds Jenny Patrickson, Managing Director of Active IQ. “We know when people see personal trainers who understand and reflect lived experiences, it builds trust and engagement which is why we’re committed to supporting training centres like Health Fitness Academy. Not only do we want to empower more women into the sector, but we want to ensure the workforce is equipped to support people from all backgrounds.”

By supporting centres like Health Fitness Academy, Active IQ is helping to increase representation in the fitness industry and encourage more Muslim women to confidently step into leadership roles within sport and fitness.

^[1]Muslim Women in Sport Report